It’s no secret that juicing is all the rage. It’s a fantastic way to get loads of fruits and vegetables into your daily diet (key vitamins and minerals are easily absorbed when drinking). And whether you have a fancy machine or not, one thing we can all agree on is adding apples to the mix!

While heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, multiple studies consistently show that eating an apple – or two – a day can contribute to lower levels of bad cholesterol, weight loss, skinnier waist lines, improved circulation and more factors that prevent heart disease.

It’s the time of year when we crave comfort foods. It’s easy to follow those cravings into heavy, rich foods, which may not be the best thing for your waistline. To keep your weight in check, balance your food choices by including lots of healthy apples in your meals.

Michigan’s apple industry tops the charts in taste and technology. Many of the state’s 900 family-run orchards involve third-, fourth- and even fifth-generation growers with an appetite for the latest varieties, training systems and pollination methods that increase orchard productivity, and enhance apple quality and flavor.